(Nov 20, 2012) Hoi An has been trading with the outside world since almost the 15th century. Once one of the busiest ports in all of South East Asia, the docksides of this relatively small central Vietnamese town were once awash with the sound of Chinese, Japanese, American, European and Indonesian traders, all bringing their wares to Vietnam’s doorstep. Warehouses strained under the weight of the orient’s finest silks and spices. Everything, from elephant tusks to beeswax, from paper to porcelain, was brought here and from here to the world.

(Nov 19, 2012) The Diwali Festival of Lights, one of India’s biggest national festivals, was celebrated in Hanoi on November 17, drawing more than 1,500 visitors from government bodies, enterprises, cultural agencies, and the expat community.